The hottest Health Politics Substack posts right now

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US Dietary Guidelines Remain an Evidence-Free Zone

Unsettled Science • 1255 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Dietary Guidelines Nutrition Science Public Health Regulatory Affairs Bipartisan Issues
  1. Many clinical trials show that the recommended dietary changes may not actually improve health. In fact, some guidelines might worsen our health.
  2. The expert committee ignored strong evidence for reducing ultra-processed foods while pushing for less evidence-based recommendations on meat and dairy.
  3. Conflicts of interest within the expert committee raise questions about the validity of the guidelines, suggesting that politics may influence dietary recommendations over solid science.

Covid Situation Report: Apr 18, 2024

Independent SAGE continues • 219 implied HN points • 19 Apr 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health COVID-19 Vaccination Healthcare policy Disease Control
  1. The Covid situation is improving, with lower hospital admissions and positivity rates compared to before. However, some areas are seeing slight increases.
  2. There is a new booster campaign for older adults and those at risk, highlighting the ongoing need for vaccination to prevent severe outcomes.
  3. Covid is still around and can be serious, especially for older people, so it's important to follow safety measures when feeling unwell.

Unwanted viral guests at Thanksgiving

Your Local Epidemiologist • 1378 implied HN points • 26 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Vaccination Epidemiology
  1. This Thanksgiving, the chance of getting sick is lower than in the past four years, but we still need to be careful as viruses can spread quickly.
  2. Most illnesses right now are from the common cold, and RSV is affecting young kids, so it's smart to be cautious around babies during gatherings.
  3. Vaccination rates are up, which helps prevent severe illness, so it's a good idea to get vaccinated before the holidays if you haven't already.

We Just Got More Proof That Nobody Needs To Wear Masks

Unmasked • 65 implied HN points • 26 Dec 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Pandemic response Infectious Disease Government Policy Health data
  1. Many credentialed doctors and public health experts are still loudly calling for universal masking, especially during winter.
  2. The piece claims data show masks did not stop viruses from spreading and points to Sweden’s avoidance of widespread masking alongside low excess mortality as evidence.
  3. Renewed pushes for universal masking this winter are presented as unnecessary because recent data allegedly contradict the effectiveness of masks.
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I'm pro-assisted dying in principle, but I'm not sure about the proposed law

Odds and Ends of History • 1407 implied HN points • 19 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics Assisted Dying Ethics Legislation Public Health Social Policy
  1. Assisted dying has good intentions, as it offers a choice to people in pain, but how it’s implemented is very important. We need to make sure that laws respect individual decisions and do not lead to negative outcomes.
  2. The proposed law on assisted dying could be rushed, which raises concerns about its effectiveness and potential problems. It's better to take time to create a solid law that can address all the issues carefully.
  3. Looking at examples from other countries suggests that assisted dying laws can lead to serious issues if not properly controlled. We should learn from their experiences to avoid similar mistakes.

Breath, Conscience, and the Winter I Was Cast Out

Natural Selections • 10 implied HN points • 24 Feb 26
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Vaccination Civil Rights Employment Law
  1. A worker was fired and evicted after refusing to follow masking and testing rules tied to a religious objection and claimed natural immunity, even though the overnight role was solitary and regular tests were negative.
  2. The employer applied COVID rules selectively and punitively, while colleagues privately agreed with the worker’s doubts but stayed silent for fear of losing their jobs.
  3. The worker is pursuing legal complaints for religious discrimination and due process violations and argues the era transformed safety practices into ritual compliance that punished conscience and questioning.

HHS picks, the House subcommittee report, and pandemic revisionism

Your Local Epidemiologist • 1326 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Pandemic response Policy Critique Healthcare system Epidemiology
  1. The new appointments in HHS reflect a mix of people who disagree with Covid-19 policies and those who have ignored real issues. Learning from the pandemic means discussing both the successes and failures honestly.
  2. Covid-19 is not like the flu; it caused a lot of deaths and the vaccines were effective in saving lives. It’s essential to recognize the actual impact and the importance of public health measures that worked.
  3. Many criticisms of pandemic policies lack evidence and understanding of the complexities involved. We should focus on genuine discussions about what went wrong and how to improve in future situations.

Outbreak Outlook - National - Dec 22

Force of Infection • 73 implied HN points • 22 Dec 25
🏥 Health Politics Infectious Disease Vaccination policy Disease Surveillance Food Safety Pediatric health Outbreak Response Epidemiology
  1. Influenza is surging nationwide: outpatient ILI and test positivity have climbed sharply, many states now show high activity, and hospitalizations and pediatric deaths are rising. If you haven't had a flu shot yet, it's still the best way to reduce severe illness.
  2. COVID-19 and RSV remain at relatively low levels overall but are inching upward, with small increases seen in wastewater, ED visits, and hospitalizations in some regions. RSV is below average for the season but slowly rising and continues to hit young children hardest.
  3. There are multiple food recalls and a recalled infant formula tied to a botulism outbreak was still found for sale in many stores, contributing to numerous infant hospitalizations. Officials are also reportedly considering changes to the childhood vaccine schedule that could alter routine recommendations.

COVID Vaccines For Kids One Of The Most Unnecessary Interventions In History

Unmasked • 50 implied HN points • 07 Jan 26
🏥 Health Politics Vaccination policy Public Health Pediatric health Government Policy Pandemic response Health Communication
  1. The federal health department removed the universal recommendation that all children get COVID vaccines starting at six months. Some state health agencies said they would keep recommending the shots despite the federal change.
  2. The change prompted strong criticism from many medical experts, and the controversy is framed as politically charged with distrust of prior expert guidance.
  3. The piece argues COVID vaccines for healthy kids were largely unnecessary, claiming they prevented few child deaths and that proponents often didn’t closely examine the actual effectiveness data.

The future of vaccine policy in the United States

Your Local Epidemiologist • 1399 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics Vaccination policy Public Health Epidemiology Government Influence
  1. Most Americans still believe in the importance of vaccinations, with a large percentage supporting routine childhood vaccines. This shows that vaccines are still widely trusted by the public.
  2. Vaccine policy in the U.S. is mainly controlled by individual states, not the federal government. This means each state can set different rules about vaccinations.
  3. The federal government can indirectly influence vaccine policies through agencies like the FDA and CDC. Changes in their approach could affect how vaccines are reviewed and recommended.

Covid Situation Report: May 2, 2024

Independent SAGE continues • 179 implied HN points • 03 May 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Vaccination Infectious Disease Epidemiology Healthcare policy
  1. Covid positivity rates are rising, especially among people aged 65 and older. But overall, hospital admission rates for Covid remain relatively low.
  2. The Autumn 2023 booster significantly reduced hospitalization risks for older individuals, but its effectiveness decreases significantly after 15 weeks. A successful Spring 2024 booster campaign is needed to protect vulnerable populations.
  3. The Spring 2024 booster campaign started strong, with over 1.3 million doses given in the first two weeks. It's important for eligible individuals to get vaccinated as Covid levels may be increasing.

FREE POST: Weekly Reality Report

Reality's Last Stand • 373 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🏥 Health Politics Gender identity Youth Mental Health Transgender rights Medical treatments
  1. The Weekly Reality Report provides a roundup of articles, reading lists, and news headlines for paying subscribers, but this week's report is free.
  2. An interview with Dr. Carrie Mendoza sheds light on challenges faced by detransitioners due to lack of medical services and billing codes.
  3. Various articles critique gender-affirming care, the evolution of HR departments, and the application of intersectionality in social discourse, sparking debates on societal values and well-being.

With Walls Closing In, German Virologist Christian Drosten Ducks Behind Lawyers

The DisInformation Chronicle • 450 implied HN points • 17 Jun 25
🏥 Health Politics Pandemic response Public Health Bioethics Government oversight
  1. Christian Drosten, a prominent German virologist, is facing scrutiny over his past statements about the origins of COVID-19, particularly regarding the lab leak theory.
  2. Gain-of-function research, which involves making viruses more dangerous, has come under increased ethical debate as the risks it poses to public health are significant.
  3. There is a growing call among scientists to halt risky gain-of-function experiments, as many believe they could lead to future pandemics if not carefully controlled.

The Dose (November 22)

Your Local Epidemiologist • 1320 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Vaccines Epidemiology Disease Control Healthcare policy
  1. Egg prices are rising due to avian flu outbreaks, which are affecting poultry farms. This means some people might pay more than $4 for a dozen eggs.
  2. A new study shows that pregnant women should aim to get their RSV vaccine at least five weeks before their due date for better protection for their babies.
  3. Good news on sexually transmitted infections (STIs): rates have decreased for the first time in years, thanks to better testing and public health campaigns.

Flu season gains momentum

Force of Infection • 90 implied HN points • 07 Dec 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Disease Management Vaccination policy Infectious Diseases Health Statistics
  1. Flu activity is starting to rise across the country, with more people visiting doctors for flu-like symptoms. This could mean we are entering the flu season earlier than usual.
  2. COVID-19 cases are currently low, but there are regional increases in some areas, especially in the Midwest and Northeast.
  3. Norovirus is becoming more active, and it's important to practice good hygiene, like washing hands, to avoid getting sick.

Outbreak Outlook - National - Dec 2

Force of Infection • 97 implied HN points • 02 Dec 25
🏥 Health Politics Disease Control Public Health Epidemiology Food Safety Infectious Diseases
  1. Flu cases are rising in the U.S., especially among young kids, but overall activity is still below last year's levels. Hospitalizations are very low right now.
  2. COVID-19 levels are quite low nationally, but there's a chance they may increase following the holiday travel period.
  3. RSV is also increasing but is relatively mild compared to past seasons, along with other cold and flu-like illnesses spreading widely.

The FDA Drug Review Paradox

Who is Robert Malone • 13 implied HN points • 14 Feb 26
🏥 Health Politics Regulation Drug Approval Pharmaceuticals Innovation Clinical Trials
  1. The FDA’s current review process now favors big pharmaceutical incumbents and stifles small innovators, pushing startups to sell early or move their development offshore.
  2. Regulatory workarounds like Fast Track, Priority Review Vouchers, and Emergency Use Authorization were meant to help patients but have been captured and repurposed as shortcuts that benefit large companies more than public health.
  3. Real reform should refocus approval on patient-centered, clinically meaningful benefits and give agency leaders and managers flexibility to adapt to modern science and take measured risks.

GAO Report #2 on High Risk GOF Research

Who is Robert Malone • 9 implied HN points • 21 Feb 26
🏥 Health Politics Biosecurity Transparency Lab Safety Pandemic Preparedness Science Policy
  1. Gain-of-function studies have improved scientific understanding of how pathogens infect and spread, but experts do not agree they clearly led to vaccine or therapeutic breakthroughs.
  2. This research poses real biosafety and biosecurity risks because enhanced pathogens could cause widespread harm if accidentally or deliberately released.
  3. HHS has internal risk-review procedures and can decline funding, but it does not consistently share review outcomes or mitigation steps publicly; GAO recommends greater transparency and HHS responded noncommittally.

Covid Situation Report: Jun 13, 2024

Independent SAGE continues • 99 implied HN points • 15 Jun 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Vaccines Epidemiology Infectious Diseases Health Policy
  1. Covid levels in England have stabilised after a minor rise in mid-May. Most regions are showing low and stable rates.
  2. The Spring 2024 booster vaccination campaign is going well, with 3.9 million doses given, but more needs to be done for vulnerable groups, especially the immunosuppressed.
  3. Older individuals face a higher risk of hospitalisation and death from Covid, highlighting the importance of getting vaccinated, especially for those aged 75 and above.

The Real Science on Masks: They Make No Difference

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 5745 implied HN points • 27 Feb 23
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Masks CDC Pandemic Risk Assessment
  1. The most authoritative estimate shows masks do not significantly reduce the spread of Covid-19 or other respiratory illnesses.
  2. Cochrane, a respected health organization, conducted a review concluding that all types of face coverings probably make little or no difference in reducing respiratory illness spread.
  3. The CDC and public health officials continue to recommend masks despite lack of strong evidence, ignoring downsides like social, psychological, and medical problems.

US Dietary Guidelines: Science is "Subpar," Cannot be Replicated

Unsettled Science • 948 implied HN points • 27 Jan 25
🏥 Health Politics Nutrition Science Public Health Dietary Guidelines Research Methodology Health Policy
  1. The U.S. Dietary Guidelines are based on low-quality science that is hard to replicate. This raises questions about their reliability for healthy eating.
  2. A new study found serious flaws in how the USDA reviews the research for these guidelines, including mistakes in their search strategies and lack of transparency.
  3. Despite criticism and calls for improvement, the USDA has not made the necessary updates to ensure the guidelines are trustworthy and based on solid research.

What The Detransitioner Clementine Breen’s Gender “Therapy” Looked Like

Singal-Minded • 1083 implied HN points • 28 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Gender Issues Mental health Activism Medical Ethics Trans rights
  1. Clementine Breen, a UCLA student, is suing her doctor for care she received during her transition. She feels that the treatments led her to regret her decisions.
  2. Breen's therapy involved close connections between her therapist and the medical staff, which raises concerns about impartiality. This makes it important to have independent support in such sensitive situations.
  3. There were signs that Breen's gender identity questions came about due to recent family trauma, suggesting that therapists should explore underlying issues before making treatment decisions.

More Americans now worry about paying for healthcare than housing or anything else

Unreported Truths • 27 implied HN points • 29 Jan 26
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare Costs Health Policy Public Opinion Pharma Industry Elections
  1. More Americans now list affording medical care as their top financial worry, even above housing and transportation.
  2. Concern about healthcare costs crosses party lines and many voters distrust both major parties to fix it, making the issue politically potent.
  3. Democrats favor expanding subsidies and coverage while Republicans face hard choices, and entrenched health-industry power makes big reform risky even though a simple, bold message could win voter support.

Retirees in Cortland County, New York, opposed UnitedHealth's Medicare grab and won. At least, for now.

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 579 implied HN points • 29 Nov 23
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare access Insurance Practices Legislation Patient Advocacy
  1. Retirees in Cortland County successfully resisted being moved to a Medicare Advantage plan from UnitedHealth. This shows that organized opposition can make a difference.
  2. Healthcare insurers often hide important information about coverage and approval processes, making it hard for patients to understand what they are entitled to. This lack of transparency can lead to patients missing out on necessary care.
  3. There is growing pressure for legislative changes to protect retirees' choices between traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans. This means that there might be more options for seniors in the future.

When MAHA Forgets the Working Class

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 955 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare access Chronic Illness Working Class Health Policy Insurance
  1. Health advice that seems extreme or unattainable can push regular people away. It's important to give advice that feels realistic and achievable.
  2. Personal experiences with illness can be heavily influenced by socioeconomic status. Financial worries about healthcare can be a barrier to education and opportunities.
  3. Policies like the Affordable Care Act can make a big difference for people with preexisting conditions. They can open doors for education and better health insurance options.

Meet Dr. Hurley – a physician (and now a patient) bent on righting the wrongs of insurance denials

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 1218 implied HN points • 05 Jun 23
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare access Insurance Issues Patient Advocacy Chronic Illness
  1. Dr. Hurley, a physician turned patient, fights against health insurance denials that affect patients' access to care. His own experience with his son's surgery denial opened his eyes to the struggles many face with insurance companies.
  2. He wants to reform the medical claims process, aiming for fairness and accountability from insurers. By using his legal education and experience, he hopes to help others navigate the complicated system and advocate for their healthcare rights.
  3. Dr. Hurley emphasizes the importance of having qualified specialists review insurance claims. He believes that having doctors without the right expertise making decisions harms patients and wants to see changes that hold these reviewers accountable.

Pandemic Censorship Spurs Trump Research Nominees and Others to Create “Journal of the Academy of Public Health”

The DisInformation Chronicle • 885 implied HN points • 05 Feb 25
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Research Ethics Censorship Health Communication
  1. A new journal aims to improve communication in public health and share a variety of expert opinions. This is important since many voices were silenced during the pandemic.
  2. The journal will pay peer reviewers for their work, making the process fairer and more efficient. This could help improve the quality of published research.
  3. By publishing peer reviews alongside articles, the journal hopes to promote openness in scientific discussions. This can help challenge the existing norms and biases in traditional scientific publishing.

The top 10 recipients of campaign cash from seven health insurance industry PACs

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 639 implied HN points • 03 Nov 23
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare Reform Insurance Industry Campaign Finance Medicare Advantage Political Influence
  1. Health insurance companies are heavily funding politicians, especially those in powerful positions. This gives them influence over healthcare policies, especially Medicare.
  2. A lot of Medicare-eligible people are being pushed towards private insurance plans called Medicare Advantage, which can lead to worse care for patients.
  3. There's a lot of money involved in keeping the status quo for insurance companies, including political campaign contributions and lobbyists working to protect their interests.

I Say Thank You to Big Pharma

In My Tribe • 455 implied HN points • 01 Jun 25
🏥 Health Politics Pharmaceuticals Medical Research Drug policy Healthcare systems
  1. It's important to keep encouraging medical research because it brings a lot of benefits to society. We rely on a mix of private and government support for this research.
  2. Cutting drug prices without considering the negative effects might hurt medical research and innovation. We should think about the long-term impact of such changes.
  3. Using prizes instead of patents could lead to fairer rewards for drug developers and might reduce some issues in the research funding system.

Covid Situation Report: Apr 11, 2024

Independent SAGE continues • 199 implied HN points • 12 Apr 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health COVID-19 Vaccination Healthcare policy
  1. Covid hospital admissions are low and stable, indicating that the winter surge has mostly ended. This is a good sign for managing the virus.
  2. A Spring 2024 booster campaign is starting soon, targeting older adults and those with weakened immune systems to help keep them safer.
  3. Deaths from Covid have significantly decreased compared to last year, and the overall numbers continue to go down, which is encouraging news.

She was the first American woman to win the all-around gold medal in Olympic gymnastics. Now she's buried in medical debt.

HEALTH CARE un-covered • 679 implied HN points • 17 Oct 23
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare access Insurance Market Medical Debt Policy Reform Profit Margins
  1. Mary Lou Retton, a celebrated Olympic gymnast, is struggling with large medical bills and has had to ask for help through crowdfunding. Despite her fame, she's one of millions of Americans facing healthcare debt.
  2. UnitedHealth, a major health insurer, is making huge profits while many people struggle to pay for their medical expenses. The company is focusing on profits instead of lowering costs for its customers.
  3. Many insured Americans are also facing high out-of-pocket costs and can't afford healthcare, even with insurance. This situation reveals serious flaws in the healthcare system that need attention from lawmakers.

Chartbook 334 Triumph and tragedy: trends in maternal mortality worldwide.

Chartbook • 1130 implied HN points • 23 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics Maternal health Global Health Women's Health Public Health
  1. Global maternal mortality in childbirth has decreased from 446,000 in 2000 to 287,000 in 2020, showing some progress over time. However, it's a mix of good news and bad news.
  2. While areas like Central and South Asia have seen significant drops in maternal deaths, Sub-Saharan Africa still faces high rates, with Nigeria alone accounting for a large percentage of global maternal mortality.
  3. Some countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, like Rwanda and Ethiopia, have shown that progress in maternal health is possible, even under difficult conditions, by reducing maternal deaths significantly.

The Dose (October 25)

Your Local Epidemiologist • 1299 implied HN points • 25 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Vaccination Food Safety Epidemiology
  1. Older adults can expect to get a Covid-19 vaccine next spring. Getting two shots a year may provide better protection, especially for those over 65.
  2. There’s a multistate outbreak of E. coli linked to McDonald's hamburgers, caused by slivered onions. It’s important to stay aware of food safety and current health warnings.
  3. Since the Dobbs decision, infant mortality rates have increased, mainly due to birth defects. This shows how political decisions can impact health and wellbeing.

Polio Ravaged My Family. Forget Its Horror at Your Peril.

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1052 implied HN points • 16 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Vaccines Public Health Legislation Activism Family Health
  1. The polio vaccine has been very successful in the U.S., with no new cases since 1979. This shows how important vaccines are for public health.
  2. Polio had a devastating impact on families, as seen in personal stories of loss. Such experiences highlight the real dangers of the disease before the vaccine.
  3. There are concerns about vaccine skepticism today, especially with influential figures promoting misinformation. It's crucial to remember the history of diseases like polio and the importance of vaccination.

ACIP at a Historic Turning Point

Injecting Freedom • 72 implied HN points • 11 Dec 25
🏥 Health Politics Immunization Vaccine Safety Public Health Policy Clinical Trials Child Health Regulation
  1. Clinical trials used to license childhood vaccines matter a lot because ACIP often recommends those vaccines soon after licensure.
  2. There is a lack of post-licensure safety data and current safety monitoring isn't adequate, so more thorough follow-up is needed after vaccines are approved.
  3. ACIP has a historic opportunity to recommit to vaccine safety and to more carefully weigh efficacy issues when making its vaccine schedule recommendations.

The Real Cause of Health Care Dysfunction

In My Tribe • 1002 implied HN points • 17 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Health care Public Health Health Policy Medicare Insurance
  1. A big reason we spend so much on healthcare is that we often get expensive tests and procedures that don't help us much.
  2. Simply making more people eligible for Medicare won't fix the problem of overspending in healthcare.
  3. Many people like to think that healthcare costs are high because of greedy doctors or insurance companies, but that's not the main reason.

The Atlantic admits Covid shots killed kids - five years too late

Unreported Truths • 75 implied HN points • 11 Dec 25
🏥 Health Politics Vaccines Public Health Regulation Pharma Industry Media Coverage Pediatrics Vaccine Safety
  1. Some mainstream outlets and officials have finally acknowledged that mRNA COVID vaccines may have caused deaths among children, years after the shots were rolled out.
  2. Vaccine makers and some journals reportedly withheld or downplayed negative trial results and side effects, delaying proper scrutiny of mRNA vaccine risks.
  3. That handling has eroded public trust in medicine and prompted calls for accountability and stricter vaccine approval standards.